| The Happiness Of The Katakuris |
  | Starring: Kenji Sawada, Keiko Matsuzaka, Shinji Takeda Directed: Takashi Miike Release Date: June 16, 2015 Run Time: 113 Minutes Format: Blu-Ray Distributor: Arrow Video / MVDvisuals | |
| Synopsis |
From Takashi Miike, the prolific director of such shocking hits including Audition and Ichi the Killer comes “The Sound of Music meets Dawn of the Dead”!
The Katakuris are a family trying to run a peaceful country inn but with a lack of guests there is much excitement for their first visitor, until they wind up dead! As each guest in turn dies in strange circumstances the family agree to hide the bodies but will the coverups come back to haunt them…
In The Happiness of the Katakuris scenes of grotesque stop motion animation, surreal musical numbers and zombies combine to make one of the finest horror-comedies ever made. – Arrow Video
| Audio/Video |
Audio Audio Language: Japanese The Sound Quality really good, no distortions and levels are at where they need to be. The score is odd but fits with the film and has some great surround sound to it. Rating: |
Picture Quality Disc Format: Blu-Ray The Picture Quality is top-notch and at most times a 5 star Quality especially when it came to the claymation which was super sharp and full of depth. Colors are very vibrant but at times skin tones seem soft. Mostly its very sharp with great white and black levels. Cant get too much better than this. Rating: |
Note: Equipment used to watch the film can be found below
| Theatrical release Date: February 23, 2002 (Japan) |
| Blu-Ray Disc release Date: June 16, 2015 (USA) |
| Extras |
- New High Definition digital film transfer
- Presented in High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD
- Original uncompressed Stereo PCM audio
- Audio commentary by director Takashi Miike
- The Making of the Katakuris – An original documentary from the film’s production featuring interviews and behind-the-scenes footage with the cast and crew
- Interviews with the Katakuris cast members Kenji Sawada, Keiko Matsuzaka, Kiyoshiro Imawano, Shinji Takeda, Naomi Nishida, Tetsuro Tanba and Miike
- Animating the Katakuris – A look at the creation of the film’s stop motion effects with animation director Hideki Kimura and Miike
- Trailer and TV Spots
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by the Twins of Evil
- Booklet featuring new writing on the film by author Johnny Mains and a re-printed interview with Miike conducted by Sean Axmaker, illustrated with original stills
| My Thoughts |
The Happiness Of The Katakuris is as weird as they come. Heck I don’t think you need acid to feel like your having a crazy trip when viewing this film. With a mix of claymation, weird backgrounds and random singing makes this film pretty weird with a score that helps it out a lot, let alone the Blu-Ray cover can show how trippy it will be before you view. I know I typed out what I think of the PQ and SQ but man its great, sharp and surround sounding effects haha.
Yes the movie is fun and trippy but what holds the film back for me is the amount of singing especially when it kicks in for 15 minutes. Yes it helps make the movie more weird but less could help some but I know Its part musical, Zombie horror and claymation that displays to make a yet again I’m going to say a weird yet hypnotized viewing.
This trippy horror musical comedy directed by Takashi Miike also features out their camera angle shots and cuts to get your brain melting a little more. I loved all the colors he used int this film that makes this Blu-Ray look pretty vibrant. A lot of shots I notice feature food which definitely brings out the color. The horror aspect of the film is small, the Zombies show up for a Musical number and that’s it and The comedy bits gets you chuckling. I have to say I love all the weird things that go on and all the genre mashing that makes this film easily knowing that Takashi Miike directed it.
Overall the film was a fun movie to view and at times had me laughing and also saying what the fuck in the same scene. Takashi Miike fans will enjoy its beautiful weirdness and those who love Picture and sound Quality will also enjoy the film on that level. I must say the films not for every one but who cares, I like it.
With that said the film gets a 4 from me. It’s an out their film and must be seen if its only for one time. Pick it up and look at its beautiful colored sharp Picture. I would love to see the claymation in a full film for itself. How many times did I say Weird?
| Rating – 5 Star System |
Film: PQ: Sound: |
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| Trailer |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDfMXwRapNc
| Buy Film |
 | Blu-Ray $25.29 | |
| Prices are posted at time of review and most likely before release. Prices will or could have changed after this review. |
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This Film was Played on the listed Equipment below |
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